VideoText Interactive – Algebra: A Complete Course – Review

VideoText Interactive provides instruction for the complete course of algebra and geometry. The lessons are given with a video presentation and written material. VideoText is available in a physical copy or an online version. Their tag line is “It doesn’t have to be hard.” and they really live up to this.

With Joshua’s help I am reviewing the online version of Algebra: A Complete Course. Their approach to Algebra is to cover all the Algebra topics in sequence from Pre-Algebra through to Algebra 2. Instead of just teaching formulas the instruction is designed to help students truly understand the why behind what they are doing. Because the material is taught with understanding in sequence there is no overlapping of instruction. When the student has completed Algebra: A Complete Course they will have true mastery of Algebra. If you are preparing a transcript or other means of reporting students completing Algebra: A Complete Course will have earned a credit for Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2.

Algebra: A Complete Course includes 176 video lessons divided into ten units. Each lesson takes 5-10 minutes. Each lesson also has course notes and student worksheets. There are 360 pages of Course Notes and 590 pages Student Work Text in all. There is a Solutions Manual that provides step-by-step solutions for every problem in the Student Work Test. Finally, there are Progress Tests for each lesson and each unit so that you can make sure your student has truly mastered the material. There are two version of each test if you need to retest the material.

As you watch the video together you can pause it frequently to go over the lesson material to make sure your child has understood the instructions. This makes it an interactive experience and is essential to the program. After you have finished watching the video, you can then work through the Course Notes. You want to make sure there is true understanding before you work on the written work.

The online version gives you access to all the material through on online log-in for three years which should give you plenty of time to complete the course. You will use the internet to watch the videos. Course Notes and Student can be printed out can be viewed online.

There is also a several suggested schedules to help you pace out the material to meet your goals.

When you enter the online version of Algebra: A Complete Course there is a drop down menu that you can click through to move from lesson to lesson. Joshua has some gaps in his math so we decided to combine a couple of the suggested schedules. I am having Joshua complete only the Odd or Even problems for the lesson one day. We go through his answers. If it looks like he understand the concepts then I have him take the first version of the test. If he passes that he can move on to the next lesson. If he doesn’t pass the test then we can go back over the lesson and have him do the other half of the problems. After that he can re-test using the second version of the test.

One of the nice features of the online program is that the student is prompted through out the program to make sure all the steps are being followed in order.

This program is really simple to use and is a very complete program. I feel that any student who uses Algebra: A Complete Course will have a very solid knowledge and understanding of all the algebra concepts and will have earned their math credits in all three levels of Algebra. Also, seeing how slowly we have moved through the program I think it is the best interest of the student to pay attention to the recommendations before starting this program.

One thing to keep in mind is that although you might be using the online version no grading or record keeping is provide with this program. You will be using the online version as you would the physical product. The parent will be doing the grading and maintaining the records.

There are advantages and disadvantages of using the online version of Algebra: A Complete Course. When using the online version the biggest savings will be in the initial cost of the product. Depending on how much you print out and how much you read on the computer will affect your overall savings. One disadvantage to the online program is the fact that you do not own the physical product and you have a time limit to complete the course. This is offset by the generous having three full years to complete the entire Algebra: A Complete Course. Also the purchase price includes two students and each student has three years to complete the program from the first log in. They will also turn the program back on at the parent’s request for a short period of time for prepping for the SAT/CLEP testing.

Algebra: A Complete Course the online version sales for $299. This price includes two student licenses. Each licenses begins with the first log in and each student has up to three years to complete the entire course. Additional students in the same family can be added for an additional $49. Also, the online version comes with a 30-day money back guarantee as well. You can also purchase it in two sections. Also, you can purchase the Algebra: A Complete Course as a physical product. See the pricing page for more information on all the available options.

To find out how other families reviewed VideoText Interactive’s Algebra: A Complete Course or Geometry: A Complete Course make sure you take the time to check out the graphic below.